Any matter of fact that a party to a claim or action offers to provide to prove or disprove an issue in the case. The strongest type of evidence is that which provides direct proof of the truth of an assertion. At the other extreme is evidence that is merely consistent with an assertion but does not rule out other, contradictory assertions, and may be viewed as circumstantial evidence.

Oral defamation in which someone tells one or more persons a lie about another which lie will harm the reputation of the person defamed. Damages for slander may be limited to actual (special) damages unless there is malicious intent. Where malicious intent is proven, the injured party will be entitled to recover general or even punitive damages.

Damaging the reputation of a person or a group of people by publishing or saying bad things about them that are not true. More specifically, saying words which amount to defamation is slander and defamation in other forms, such as printed words or images, is libel.